MANILA – Aby Maraño, Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago will banner the 14-strong national women’s volleyball team that will compete in the Asian Games in August.
The pool will be the same team that will compete in the Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup in September and in the Southeast Asian Games that will be held in the Philippines next year, disclosed head coach Ceseal delos Santos.
Veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Cha Cruz, Julia Morado, and Frances Molina also made it to the list of national team players revealed on “SportsCenter Philippines” on ESPN5.
Rounding out the members were De La Salle University Lady Spikers standouts Mary Joy Baron, Dawn Macandili, and Kim Dy. Rhea Dimaculangan and Denden Lazaro were listed as reserves.
Delos Santos said he and his coaching staff, including Emilio Reyes and Brian Esquibel, based mostly on versatility when selecting the players.
“The players we selected, they can play multiple positions. That’s why we chose them,” said delos Santos, who was tapped to replace resigned national mentor Ramil de Jesus.
“For us ibibigay na lang muna namin ang best namin para dito and hindi namin sasabihin na ito agad ang goal namin,” he added. “Sabi ko nga, lagi kaming naka-focus muna sa process, and then let’s see iyong result nito.”
As part of their buildup the national team will compete as guest team in the Philippine Superliga Invitational, which begins June 23. The outcome of their games will have no bearing in the standings./PN
